COVID-19 Vaccine Latest News in India: As the entire country is fighting the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a news can bring about some relief for them. On Thursday, the central government has said that more than two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be made available in India over the next five months.

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The central government has said that more than two billion doses will be made available in the country in the next five months. According to a top government advisor, more than 2 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines will likely be available in India between August to December this year.

Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health of Niti Aayog told the reporters at a press conference that these doses would include 750 million of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine which is being produced in India by the Serum Institute of India. Furthermore, 550 million doses of Covaxin, made by Bharat Biotech will also be included under these doses.

Dr, Paul has also informed about the arrival of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in the country. and it is expected that the vaccine will be available in the market by next week as per india.com. At a press briefing, Dr. Paul said, "I’m happy to say that we’re hopeful that it’ll be available in the market next week. We’re hopeful that the sale of the limited supply that has come from there (Russia), will begin next week." He also added that second batch of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine will arrive in India on May 14. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories will manufacture the vaccine in the country.

Till now, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield were available in the country, the availability of Sputnik V from Russia is certainly going to be an added boost for the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the country. This can be a relief for the people as many states are reporting an acute shortage in the number of COVID-19 vaccines.

India had started its vaccination drive with Covaxin and Covishield on January 16, 2021, as per an ANI report. The second phase of COVID-19 vaccination to inoculate people above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with comorbidities was started from March 1, 2021. The third phase began from April 1, 2021, where all above 45 years were included. In the next phase, that started from May 1, 2021, all adults above 18 years of age were included.